Pittsburgh sports talk with the Trib columnist

Morning Java: Thank you, Pirates fans

>> The Friday column will be the last one on baseball for a good while, so I tried to collect a whole lot of concepts and thoughts into one place.

>> Here on the blog, I’d like to take the morning to thank readers who are fans of the Pittsburgh Baseball Club, and I’d like to do with the deepest sincerity.

It’s been a wild ride, but part of the wildness is that it began amid the dubiousness of two Epic Collapses, the owner investigating his management team, a couple of free-agent signings that were risks from either the financial or health standpoint and, of course, all the ancillary stuff from last fall.

All of that turned into the sport’s story of the summer, as well as that of our city.

It was stupendous.

And along the way, I heard from countless — and I genuinely mean countless — readers who poured out their hearts. The correspondence was as powerful, as passionate as what I’d heard or seen from fans of any team anywhere. One fan wrote just a couple days ago that she had a “headline you just have to use” in the event that Gerrit Cole won Game 5. Said it came from her 9-year-old daughter. Never mind that it was some 15-worder that involved Cole crushing the ball into a diamond or something to that effect. It was the thought that the reader wanted to send it this way.

What a summer it was in that regard.

Right here on the blog, we’ve got our own collection of baseball fans, of course, and their input and feedback are the lifeblood of our discussion here. But we also saw a rate through the summer of 26.7 visitors to the blog being total newbies on a daily basis.

Between that and all the new followers on social media that came for baseball, I’m grateful.

So thank you.

Thank you for that trust, for that understanding that the critical coverage of last fall comes with the same hand as that which couldn’t find a syllable of complaint the other night in St. Louis. The principles behind them are one and the same. When the subject matter stinks, you write that it stinks and try to find out why. When the subject matter excels, you try just as hard at both.

Some understood that, and the unfortunate few that rely primarily on a small but especially noisy group either didn’t understand it or didn’t want to because the narrative made for greater entertainment.

Infinitely more meaningful and lasting will be all the emails, all the connections made through this blog or other social media and … hey, did you know people still write by hand?

Check this out …

That’s from Mrs. Emily Spadaro of Mt. Lebanon, and it came on a card with a Rockwell painting on the front, a cupcake recipe on the back.

That matters.

It matters to me that I’d heard in recent weeks from people inside the Pirates who thanked me for the critical coverage last fall. No one got specific about why, and I didn’t ask.

It also matters to me that, all through the years of losing, I’d written repeatedly that Pittsburgh was a sleeping giant in the baseball context, ready to explode — if you’ll recall the phrasing — if the Pirates would only not suck. Well, they went beyond that, and so did the city. I saw support coming. I didn’t envision anything like this.

But most of all, it matters to me that so many became so invested. And how it happened. That matters, too. I heard so, so, so many stories of father-son bonding over these past few months. Dad always loved the Pirates, the boy always loved the Penguins, and it wasn’t until this year that the boy could figure out what dad’s problem was. Loved this stuff.

Dejan Kovacevic, a lifelong Pittsburgher, is an award-winning sports columnist for Trib Total Media covering the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates, Pitt and, recently, his fourth Olympics in Sochi, Russia. He also appears on WPXI-TV's 'Subway Final Word’ and hosts a weekly show on TribLIVE Radio. For 2011, he was named one of the country's top four columnists by the AP Sports Editors. For 2012, he was named one of the country's top three columnists by the National Headliners. For 2013, he was named the state's top columnist by the Keystone Press Awards and top columnist in Western Pennsylvania by the Golden Quills.

Comments

May I be the FIRST to say how much I liked your column, DK! Very fun! And really nice touch above in sharing Ms. Spadaro’s note. Just REALLY the little things in life still make it pretty doggone special.

While the vocal minority may get your goat when it comes to Pirates coverage, please always remember that they do not speak for the overwhelming majority of us that appreciate the coverage that you provide.

We wouldn’t be here day after day, we wouldn’t read your work, and we wouldn’t actively engage with you if we didn’t appreciate what you do. So thank you.

See you in 2014.

DK: They aren’t getting my goat or any other animal. I’ve blocked around 70 of them on Twitter — out of nearly 34,000 followers — and it’s gone stone silent. Tells you a lot about how noisy they are relative to their actual numbers.

Since that blocking, which I should have done long ago, all I’ve heard from readers is FAIR assessments, including criticism, some of it vicious but at least grounded in the actual subject matter rather than being personal and/or outright lies.

It’s a lesson learned about allowing a tiny, tiny percentage of people affect anything that you do inordinately.

I really appreciate you thanking us but all thanks should come from our side. The only reason some yahoo from Boondocks, Wisconsin would ever have the opportunity to meet fellow sports fans, and Pirate fans at that, is because of your efforts here.

I know your thank you is in context to the Pirates season, but I’m very glad you write about the other sports and provide this forum for views on other things other than baseball.

Some day I’ll have to meet some of these people I hold in such high regards.

DK – Thank you, too. Your time on the beat and blog in the other paper earned my respect. I think most of your followers are here because of that work. Of course, I could be wrong.

Baseball is a unique sport that evokes strong emotional responses in people because it is a daily part of their lives for a significant portion of the year. I often think of the James Earl Jones monologue from “Field of Dreams” and why it speaks so directly to people:

“The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again. Oh, people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come.”

This magical season reminded us of what was good. Nostalgia was alive and this summer in the ‘Burgh. Well, you built the asylum and they came. Well done sir, well done indeed……

Good stuff DK…..don’t agree with all the items & thoughts in the article…but thanks for the memories &, as usual, exceptional work!
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Always look forward to reading your columns. Can’t wait for the 2014 Bucco season to get started and see where that journey takes us.
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Beat Em Bucs !!

loved your article today, will never forget Cuto dropping the ball and the reaction following. Later talking to my son, I said, “I have never experienced anything in sports like the wild card game. ” He said the only thing close was a PSU-Ohio state white out night game. I’m so glad we got to share this game, long after I’m gone he will fondly remember sharing it with his dad. If you have children I hope that you can have “take a kid to work day” God Bless for all you have done for Pirate fans everywhere.

I am also wondering about Michael McKenry. He really had a terrible year and all of his weaknesses/deficiencies were really glaring this season.

I thought it was cool when he got introduced during the pregame of the Wild Card and playoff games. He got a very big ovation. But there was a small sense of sadness too. His knee injury prevented him from running down the line….he had to walk.

Yes indeed, that is The Line of the column and probably of the year. I welled up j(yet again) just now when I read it. The playoffs were a nice bonus, but getting win #82 was one of the great moments in my many years of loving Pittsburgh sports. It’s over.

And Cutch is accurate in his assessment of this season’s place in the city’s sports lore. Remembered “forever” indeed.

Excellent stuff DK!
I’m torn on the how the last game ended.
Two of the Pirates that stepped it up the most, take the most unwanted final distinctions…Cole the losing pitcher & Alvarez the final out of the year.
I’m torn because both Cole’s & Alvarez’s efforts and production in the playoffs deserved better than their fate. But it may be a blessing and they both come back even better and more determined next year…isn’t that what the great players do?!?!

Yesterday I said thanks to DK and to all on the blog, but I want to say a bit more this morning, spurred on by John’s comment. This blog community makes things a lot more fun for those of us whose lives have taken us away from the ‘burgh.

Here in central Pa., I’ve been in Phillies and Eagles and even Ravens country for a long time now. That reeks. It’s fun having fellow and sister fans with whom I can share, even if we sometimes don’t see things the same way.

A real shame you can’t make it up to Beaver Stadium for the game tomorrow. I can guarantee the environment and crowd will be exponentially better than the home opener you attended a few weeks back and a college football experience you will never forget.

Last year: second Monday of February, Feb 11. Nothing to see on Report day; First practice was the next day, Tues 12th.

If the next season follows the pattern, Report day will be Mon Feb 10, 2014; first practice on Tues 11th.

But don’t start your count just yet. In two of the prior four seasons, Report days were a Thursday and a Saturday. (Didn’t check the other two years).

So it is not a pattern.

My guess: they first find out or determine their exhibition and travel schedule, get input from Hurdle and development staff re needs, then count backwards from first exhibition game to determine the Report date. So that would mean, as it has, it varies.

On a different subject this morning, my wife and I will be attending the first game in the Pegula Ice Arena at Penn State tonight. With another couple, we bought season tickets to the new arena and will see the first year of the Big Ten hockey league.

There’s a nice article about all of this in SI.com today. I’ll try to post something about the event tomorrow.

Maybe at the end of the upcoming spring training, the Pirates will host the phillies at PNC Park in early April for a coupla final exhibition games. This time with the phillies playing the part of the Washington Generals.

Considering over half of Marte’s OBP improvement came from batting average, his success in that category moving forward will be tied to whether or not getting hit by an inordinate number of pitches is a controllable skill for him.

Trouble is, Cutch went down 12 points and Pedro 11, but who would say either of them had bad seasons?

Put that on your resume:

“One guy improved from near the Mendoza line to nearer the Dave Kingman/Carlos Pena line, but he had great clutch hits, except in Game 5 of the LDS. Our two bona-fide superstars dropped a few points, but one had a great second half and the other led the league in homers.”

On AJ, according to AJ, the decision in game was not his. He did not refuse to b ready for relief, he was told to do his normal throwing session to be ready for Game 1 of the next series if Pirates won. Liriano was the pitcher ready to go if Cole faltred early.

I’m really looking forward to the inaugural Big Ten Hockey conference, Bill. You should have a good time as it’s a quality league. Sixty three players on NHL rosters to start the season were from Big 10 schools. The games are really fun.

I’m looking forward to the Badgers showing the Nittany Lions how college hockey is played !

The depressing thing about the A’s losing last night was that this will be yet ANOTHER year where the low payroll teams in the postseason are eliminated before they get to the World Series. In fact, this will be the fifth consecutive World Series that did not include a team with a low payroll. Furthermore, this will be the tenth consecutive year that a World Series winner didn’t include a low payroll team.

All the low spenders in this year’s divisional playoffs (Rays, A’s, Buccos) were defeated by the large spenders. In the case of the A’s, they were nearly outspent by $90 million or by 2.5 times their opening day payroll as they were barely outgunned by the Tigers.

If baseball had adequate revenue sharing, maybe we wouldn’t have been eliminated so early.

It’s kind of depressing how this continues to be an issue year after year and it’s even more depressing that there will be no end in sight to this issue.

He told that to Smiz, right? It could also be why he was “ducking” talking about it. Sounds like he cares about what the people of Pittsburgh think of him, and it was kind of a no win situation for him if he responded publicly.

…And, a huge thanks to you, Dejan for providing this blog and the terrific reporting and writing this summer! Your articles went to family all over the country via the click of a button. You talked of father-son bonding….well mine was mother -son. My dad is football and basketball mostly …and indeed learned lots there, but mom is the die hard baseball fan and learned the sport from her! I followed you over at your former employer…then a year or so ago…stumbled upon this blog. What a treat I was in for. Which leads to my fellow “Loonies”..you guys and gals are truly outrageous…and pretty darned special! What therapy I have gotten this summer to read some of these exchanges. Yikes…who needs a doctor when we have the Loonies (and I am in the mental health field professionally…seriously) It is laugh out loud stuff you write sometimes! I’ll be checking in from time to time, but, indeed, I am one of those mostly baseball fans, top of my list, then everything else comes later. Wishing you all a good rest of the year and continued best and good health to each. ~ Tom

While I speak for many when I say we appreciate you thanking us, that is not necessary.
We should be, and most of us do, thank YOU every single day we get to come here and read what you have put up for us. Whether it is your coulumns, blog, “specials”, all of it makes us think, and learn. Your hard work, dedication, and passion in your writing is truly a treat for us. The many subjects you cover, the depth of your work, and the insane time constraints it puts on you is truly amazing, and we benefit from it.

Your coulumn gives hope for the future. Many people, myself included, were worried about a “lost generation” of Pirate fans, due to the 20 years of sludge. But the overriding love of the team came thru this season…………… and bonded families together.

Being able to share stories, and read others’ experiences was wonderful.
Met many great peoples here……………. and you, sir, were the reason for it.

Here is to another great season next year, and also here is to those posters who come here every day, even after the Pirate season ends.

DK – No question that you did an “over the top” job on covering this incredible Pirate season.
It’s simply amazing that in this day and age, I can live in California, and receive endless amounts of information on Pittsburgh sports teams.

Though I’m still angry that the Pirates were ousted (and my anger is not pointed at anyone on or with the team), it was definitely a season to remember.
I’m just not so sure what next year will bring at this early juncture.
That’s exactly why they needed to seize the moment from a Cardinal team that was not exactly exceptional.

Regarding the AJ controversy….I think it’s somewhat of a moot point, as he wasn’t even needed to pitch.
If Cole had folded early, this would be a real controversy.
Myself….I don’t see AJ (Or Byrd or Morneau) back next year.
There’s no way they are going to pay a guy his age the kind of money he will demand.
Believe it or not….I won’t disagree with that decision.
Burnett played a big role in turning this team into a winner, but I don’t think he’s got too much left in him.

I have been trying to get in for several hour and finally did. DK, thank you for so many things. Your excellent writing; your outstanding reporting (they >i/ib/b< were a huge piece of why this was such an enjoyable season – my favorite ever. Thank you so much.

Not sure what it was. My understanding is Bob had posted something critical of AJ for allegedly taking himself out of the 5th game consideration. AJ contacted him, by what means I don’t know, to “set the record straight,” and Bob posted something apologizing based on AJ’s communication.

I can definitely respect you not liking to use it as an excuse, but to tell Dom it didn’t matter seems dubious at best.

The fact that all three of these teams played their series so tightly DESPITE being at a substantial competitive disadvantage would seem to add even more credence to his claim that had the playing field been leveled, the results may have been different.

Pretty sure a tweeter sent AJ a link to Bob’s blog yesterday, at which point AJ called Bob and civilly discussed the events leading up to Game 5 before turning their attention to the debt limit, foreign films, and the preeminent artists of the abstract illusionist era.

Thumbs up to AJ for handling it diplomatically. I have been critical of his on-field behavior at times this year, but I sure hope he gives us one final season in 2014. This team is much better with AJ than without next year.

With a few days to let the sting of the Buccos loss wear off, just let me say this. As Pittsburgh fans, it’s easy to get spoiled. In my lifetime, I’ve seen 6 Super Bowl wins, 2 World Series titles, and 3 Stanley Cups.

We’ve had the luxury of watching Mario, Sid, Geno, Maz, Roberto, Willie, Lambert, Greene, Swann and Ham – heck, we’ve watched half the roster in Canton it seems like, not to mention Marino, Fitzgerald, and Dorsett at Pitt. If you wanted to put the Mt Rushmore of Pittsburgh althletes on Mt Washington, you’d have a heck of a time narrowing it down.

On Sunday, I sat with my son in the best ballpark in America, overlooking the beautiful skyline and the boat-filled rivers. The fountain was sky high, and heck, we even have the Duck going for us. After all the heroics in the stadium we joined the happy crowd crossing the Clemente Bridge, and it made me think. With apologies to Disney, after two decades, Pittsburgh might’ve been – at that moment – the happiest place on the planet. And that’s pretty cool, right?

So thank you for Buctober, Clint, Andrew & Company. Let’s do it again next year.

And to my fellow Bucco-crazed loonies, thanks for letting me crash your party day after day all season long. We got past the 20 year losing streak together, and it didn’t matter when everyone truly started to believe in this team. It didn’t matter that we all had to learn to let go of the 20 years of baggage in our own ways, in our own time. The fact is, well before the season ended, everyone here knew something special was happening. Everyone was on board. And it continued well into October. Everyone felt the pain on Wednesday evening because everyone pinned his or her hopes on this team by season’s end. I hope the same thing happens next year … except that it continues a few more weeks next year.

I’ve had so much fun reading what you all have to say, and learning a little about your lives from the snippets of information everyone parcels out a little at a time. I don’t care that we don’t all agree on the best course of action for the Bucs to take, I only care that we are all pulling for the same outcome. I have said it before, but I learn a lot about baseball from everyone here – including people that I often disagree with the most. I try to appreciate everyone’s input because I know an awful lot of experience and an awful lot of feeling goes into your posts.

And to my fellow Bucco-crazed loonies, thanks for letting me crash your party day after day all season long. We got past the 20 year losing streak together, and it didn’t matter when everyone truly started to believe in this team. It didn’t matter that we all had to learn to let go of the 20 years of baggage in our own ways, in our own time. The fact is, well before the season ended, everyone here knew something special was happening. Everyone was on board. And it continued well into October. Everyone felt the pain on Wednesday evening because everyone pinned his or her hopes on this team by season’s end. I hope the same thing happens next year … except that it continues a few more weeks next year.

I’ve had so much fun reading what you all have to say, and learning a little about your lives from the snippets of information everyone parcels out a little at a time. I don’t care that we don’t all agree on the best course of action for the Bucs to take, I only care that we are all pulling for the same outcome. I have said it before, but I learn a lot about baseball from everyone here – including people that I often disagree with the most. I try to appreciate everyone’s input because I know an awful lot of experience and an awful lot of feeling goes into your posts.

And, I apologize in advance for when this comes through a 2nd time. I got tired of awaiting moderation and copied and pasted it to send again. Of course, it may get caught in awaiting moderation status again.

1b – We need to sign an honest to goodness full-time starter at 1b. The Cuban, Abreu, seems like a worthwhile investment but I expect to be outbid by a wealthier team. If we end up with a platoon again, I pray that it does not include Justin Morneau. His days as a productive hitter at an “offense first” position are over. The last 6 weeks proved that. I agree that he was an ok gamble at the time, but it didn’t work. Oh, how it didn’t work.

SS – I am ok with what we have, if need be, but would love an upgrade. I think it is truly time to allow Mercer to take over 75% of the starts. Barmes can field, but he cannot hit. Jordy may not be the long term answer, but we need to find out. If we can get someone like Steven Drew (BoSox) for a tandem, go for it. He would get 70% of the starts and Jordy 30%. I’ll sign up for that. I think there would be heavy competition for Steven Drew, though.

C – I’m comfortable with Sanchez backing up Martin next year. I’d like to see Russ sit a few more regular season games to keep his legs fresher in Sept/Oct.

RF – I would love to see Marlon return, but I think he is going to want 2 years and we would only offer 1 with Polanco coming at some point next year. Tabby is a solid extra OF.

P – I am very concerned that Wandy won’t be able to give us much. If AJ also leaves, that hurts. Jeff Locke needs to get his mojo (and control) back. We may see Taillon before too long next season, and Kingham may not be that far behind, either. If we cannot sign AJ for one more season, I have been reading that Josh Johnson is a great bounce back candidate. That might be worth a shot. I like Stolmy to start the season in the pen, and possibly move to starter if needed. This staff does not need help in the pen IMO.

I trust NH to find another gem in free agency. Keep in mind as well that we have now reached the point where a veteran F/A would consider the Bucs as a 1 year destination. That was never the case before.

Speaking strictly from a free agent standpoint, even though I’m sure I’ll tease out better moves from potential trades this winter…

1B – Most big time first basemen are bad values since they contribute little on defense and the basepaths, which is why you don’t see they A’s and Rays spend money on them. No way Kendrys Morales is worth the 1st Rd draft pick and $10m/yr minimum salary he’ll require and Jose Abrea is simply too big of a risk for a player you know will only POTENTIALLY help at the plate.

Give Corey Hart one more year than the Brewers are willing to go, and make it hurt. Other wise, give Lambo a shot to platoon with Gaby Sanchez. (This is an area where I’m sure I’ll come up with a trade that won’t happen and probably would end up sucking anyways)

SS – Is Biogenesis the new market inefficiency? Johnny Peralta’s value could drop into Bucco range.

RF – My problem with Byrd and/or another veteran is that the obvious improvements are going to want multiple years, and Gregory Polanco shouldn’t wait on anyone. Kid should be up by the All Star game. I’m fine letting Tabata keep right field warm or taking a shot at Mike Morse bouncing back from injury. Hart could fill in here as well.

P – If Jeff Karstens arm is still attached to his torso and functions properly, he’ll be a steal in some depth capacity. Don’t pass him up. Then do your homework and figure out which of Gavin Floyd, Josh Johnson, and Dan Haren is healthy enough and willing to buy into the Searage School of Pitching Well After You’ve Sucked for a Minute. Get one of them.

Most importantly, stay flexible. Don’t get players that Hurdle feels tied to for any reason other than what is happening on the diamond or that are being paid too much to sit on the bench.

And tell Mr. Walker that a three year extension is waiting for him at the end of the season, provided he gives up switch hitting and proves he can play 145 games healthy.

Personally, I’m not sure if he’ll ever be ready to be an above average, full time 1B. But he seems to get as hot as anybody for extended periods.

I don’t have a problem seeing if one of those streaks can play up at the big league level given the dearth of other options. A James Loney/Yonder Alonso/late-career-Todd-Helton type hitter wouldn’t surprise me.

I’ve really enjoyed your thoughtful posts. I, too, am primarily a baseball freak, and mostly will check in to read the blog banter until spring training. I’ll be watching the Pens and…what’s that other team in Pittsburgh?? But probably won’t post much. It’s been such a special season made even better by sharing it with those linked by a common bond. We may be strangers, but we sure do “get it” (like Nutting, I suppose) on this blog.

Great work DK! I appreciate all of the work you do with the blog and with your columns. I don’t post often but read every day and have really enjoyed this baseball season. Hope it’s even more fun in 2014!

This is an interesting entry, to which I would like to reply – even though it may never be read. In inverse order;
Neil Walker will not be a HofFer, but he is a damn good baseball player. If you can tolerate Pedro’s incompetence against lefties and his inconsistencies in the field, and if you can afford to pay the hapless Clint Barmes 10.5 million for two years on a trial look-see basis, then back off of the criticism of Walker. Pay Walker and be quiet. Instruct him that opposite field hitting is a weapon, as had been shown to us on so many occasions.

I agree completely with your evaluation of Karstens – and the Hurdle stubbornness on Barmes and overall inflexibility.

The Byrd “gamble” proved to be worth it. Keep him IF his demands are reasonable. The gambles on Morneau and Lambo were pie-in-the-sky failures.

Forget Peralta.

First basemen are made or created; they are not born. The easiest position on the diamond to solve. Don’t fret over who mans the spot. Platoon if you must.

Forget about Corey Hart. I too await Polanco. Keep Tabata happy in some way while daily igniting a fire under him and his seeming mood swings or ennui.

Lucky, I wasn’t singling a particular person who was the answer, but rather intending that while we may not have found HIM, he is there or will be created. People here have said quite often that Pedro is the answer; but is he? He still has to face left-handed pitching, and we lose the strongest third base in the majors.

I had less love for Clement than Jones, but yes, they were overall failures.

We brought in Morneau with high expectations, but he was essentially a failure. My man Presley had more HRs in the last month – and RBIs

I mentioned Hurdle only as a response to the original entry of Hurdle’s inflexibility, and in the process of doing that, it must be mentioned of his (Hurdle’s) insistence on putting a .211 avg. into the lineup over a .285 avg. with (if at all ) a minimum of defensive value.
I mentioned this the other day, but think about it; how many times is there in a game where Barmes will be able to make a play that Mercer couldn’t, and how times are 4 at bats of a .285 hitter likely to be of more value over a .211 hitter?

But a “shot” that was appropriate to be made after his 9 HRs in August.

Despite Morneau’s leading the Pirates in hits during the St. Louis series, few will see him as the answer for 2014 and beyond.

I, with you, agree that Pedro is NOT the answer at 1st base in 2014. This is where a good GM will get creative and get the Bucs a hitter who can also dig Pedro’s and Mercer’s throws out of the dirt. Let’s see if Pirates’ GM can do his job.

“Making” a new 1st baseman with the erratic nature of Pedro’s and Mercer’s arms would not be a good idea.

I used to be a Face fan, but my enthusiasm cooled considerably after reading that he was the one guy in the clubhouse that wouldn’t accept Clemente because of his race. Maybe that’s inaccurate, but that’s what I read.

Plenty of time for hot stove talk, but just a quick two cents… just because we sign, say, Marlon Byrd to a 2-year deal does NOT mean that he blocks Polanco. What it would do is ensure we don’t rush Polanco to ‘fill a need at the ML level’, which is almost always a bad idea… and when Polanco is ready, he gets his spot. Byrd can easily be traded at that point.

I have always thought the Bucs should be more aggressive in that extra year to veterans because we can always make trades if need be to make room. The Dodgers, for example, before the injuries, were in position to trade one of their outfielders (Ethier, Kemp or Crawford) to make room for Puig. And those contracts are way bigger than what Byrd would command.